Marketplace All-in-One Rolls-Royce looks to AI, nuclear tech to power its future
Aug 13, 2025
Rolls-Royce is pivoting from luxury vehicles to a future driven by artificial intelligence and nuclear tech. The CEO reveals plans to lead in aerospace and defense, focusing on small modular reactors and AI data centers. Global economic trends, including a soaring Japanese stock market, set the backdrop. Meanwhile, European nations are ramping up defense spending, showcased by French factories transitioning to military production, securing jobs while meeting rising geopolitical demands.
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Nuclear Power As An AI Enabler
- Rolls-Royce sees rising AI demand as a core growth driver by pairing compute needs with power solutions.
- The company believes its nuclear capability uniquely positions it to supply power for AI data centres.
SMRs Linked To Data Centers
- Small modular reactors (SMRs) could be deployed on land to feed grids or AI data centres, leveraging sub reactor tech.
- Combining SMRs with engine sales for narrow-bodied planes could propel Rolls-Royce to major economic importance in the UK.
Ambitious UK-First Strategy
- CEO Tufan Ergen-Bilgic publicly aims for Rolls-Royce to be the UK's most valuable company without listing in New York.
- He pairs confidence in SMRs and aircraft-engine markets with a UK-focused listing strategy.